Surface Features of MarsSurface Features of Mars

Susan EverettSusan Everett

Charlotte OttoCharlotte Otto

Eric BrunsellEric Brunsell

Research FocusResearch FocusHow do the surface features of Mars How do the surface features of Mars

compare to features on Earth?compare to features on Earth?

ContextContext::Students in the Introductory Earth/Space Inquiry Students in the Introductory Earth/Space Inquiry course (NSCI 232) participate in 3 units course (NSCI 232) participate in 3 units throughout the semester: Rock cycle, water throughout the semester: Rock cycle, water cycle and cycles in the solar system. Students cycle and cycles in the solar system. Students learn about different landforms, especially using learn about different landforms, especially using stream tables. Currently, there is not much stream tables. Currently, there is not much emphasis on individual planets in the third unit. emphasis on individual planets in the third unit. Therefore, connecting some of the current Therefore, connecting some of the current research from Mars with their learning about research from Mars with their learning about Earth’s features will provide a more Earth’s features will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the comprehensive understanding of the similarities/differences of planets. similarities/differences of planets.

MethodMethod

Develop an inquiry investigation using Develop an inquiry investigation using photos from Mars.photos from Mars.

Find photos from landforms on Earth. Find photos from landforms on Earth. Create a 5E Learning Cycle lesson. Create a 5E Learning Cycle lesson.

Data for InvestigationData for Investigation:: Photos collected from:Photos collected from:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/mars/http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/mars/

Google images for Earth as well as Mars photosGoogle images for Earth as well as Mars photos

Photos will be individually printed on a color printer Photos will be individually printed on a color printer and laminated for use over several semesters. and laminated for use over several semesters.

Lesson PlanLesson Plan Engage: Show a photo of Mars to have students Engage: Show a photo of Mars to have students

consider and share prior knowledge and popular consider and share prior knowledge and popular cultural notions of Mars.cultural notions of Mars.

Explore: Use the inquiry question-How do the Explore: Use the inquiry question-How do the surface features of Mars compare to features on surface features of Mars compare to features on Earth? Students will work in groups examining Earth? Students will work in groups examining the photos of Mars and looking for similar the photos of Mars and looking for similar features from Earth. (There will be multiple features from Earth. (There will be multiple features from Earth so students will need to find features from Earth so students will need to find the best fit). Then, students will consider the the best fit). Then, students will consider the physical processes that may have caused the physical processes that may have caused the features on Mars. features on Mars.

Explain: Students will share results using whiteboards. Explain: Students will share results using whiteboards.

Class discussion of features and evidence of water on Class discussion of features and evidence of water on Mars will follow. Instructor will use resource information Mars will follow. Instructor will use resource information from from http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/mars/http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/mars/

Extend: Use Google Mars to look at the same surface Extend: Use Google Mars to look at the same surface features of Mars by elevation.features of Mars by elevation.

Evaluate: Write a paragraph to answer the question-Evaluate: Write a paragraph to answer the question-Take a position for the question: Was Mars a “water Take a position for the question: Was Mars a “water planet” in the past, like the Earth is now? Present the planet” in the past, like the Earth is now? Present the evidence in your discussion.evidence in your discussion.

Educator ImplicationsEducator Implications

After students conduct the 5E investigation, I After students conduct the 5E investigation, I will reflect on the lesson plan to determine:will reflect on the lesson plan to determine:

Has it accomplished the desired objectives Has it accomplished the desired objectives of student learning? Are adjustments of the of student learning? Are adjustments of the lesson content needed?lesson content needed?

What were some unexpected difficulties that What were some unexpected difficulties that occurred during the investigation?occurred during the investigation?